Water worries for abutters of Sunnyhill subdivision

Developer Martin Israel returned to the planning board last Tuesday with a conceptual design for new construction in the Sunnyhill subdivision.

The proposal calls for a total of 18 senior housing units in two separate developments in the vicinity of Karen Way, Edith Lane and Cheryl Ann Drive, in addition to three single-family homes.

"There is a need for senior housing every year, as we all get a little bit older," Israel said.

The density of the 12-acre project averages a dwelling per every half-acre-considerably less than existing surrounding density, according to planning board member Norman Anderson.

The board is considering rescinding the Sunnyhill subdivision, which was approved in 1969. Its roads were not completed, leaving Karen Way essentially a double dead-end road.

Israel's proposal would complete Karen Way and Cheryl Ann Drive, looping them together and connecting Prescott Street to Karen Way.

"The town would benefit from having the roads done, no doubt about it," said Planning Board Chair Tom Dufault. "Instead of dead-ends, you would have a through roadway system to allow traffic flow to go the way it should, rather than having the plows turn around and back up three times to finish plowing."

Dufault said the neighborhood's current drainage system is substandard because it is only 80 percent complete, lacking proper culverts and storm drains; finishing the roads would complete the drainage system and alleviate existing water problems in the area.

Water worries

Abutters nonetheless expressed concerns about water run-off, saying that construction could disturb groundwater courses both temporarily and in the long-term.

"This has the possibility of having more of an effect outside the subdivision than other projects we've seen," Anderson said. "We don't know exactly what's going to happen with the water movements if and when [Israel] starts construction."

Surrounding neighborhoods have a history of water issues, including yard and basement flooding.

"If there needs to be upgrading of the design of the sewer system to alleviate drainage in subdivisions built subsequent to this one," Dufault said, "then that would be something the planning board would require."

In case of rescission

Israel told the board and abutters that he "wouldn't go away easy" if Sunnyhill was rescinded.

Dufault said the roads would remain as they are if the project is rescinded, unless the board is able to negotiate with Israel. Dufault estimated it would cost the town $300,000 to complete the roads.

In his final proposal, Israel would request exemption from Rutland's bylaw requiring senior housing be on a main thoroughfare. The intent of that bylaw, Dufault said, is to give seniors proximity to amenities.